Literally every skincare product I use.
A roundup for anyone who cares!
Let’s start at the top (my face).
I’m 41 years old. I’m not trying to “pass” as younger than I am. I’m not trying to end up looking like a strange muppet (though I strangely understand the appeal). And I also think that it’s perfectly okay to want to maintain a resemblance to the version of yourself that you have known for most of your life.
What I do at the dermatologist’s office:
These are things I only do in a medical office, because that feels the best for me. I’m not an expert, and I can be sold literally anything by a person with a vested interest in my own vanity. So I’m also going to include what I paid for that I hated, to save you any pain and money I can.
A .005% tretinoin cream. This is a retinoid that is technically for acne, but also treats fine lines by speeding up your cell turnover. I use it a few times a week on my face, neck and chest. If you’re sensitive, you start low and slow and build up a tolerance. But it makes you very sensitive to the sun!
Dysport (a cousin of Botox) 4x a year (unless I forget). By my eyes and on my forehead. It’s a few hundred bucks every time.
Juvederm once so far (I was told it would last 18 months). It’s a filler that boosts your hyaluronic acid levels, not the filler that paralyzed my face as I was writing Bad Vibes Only and also made me look like a muppet and not in a cool way. I literally can’t remember what that one was, I blocked it out! Juvederm was like $900 and seeing as how I am a copy-paste of my father, I would prefer to not age into a hollowed-out older man and if this fits in our budget, I’ll keep doing it.
Clear & Brilliant Laser 4x/year. The prettiest rich woman I know told me that she swears by this, and I followed her blindly. It’s relatively painless. You look like you’re horribly sunburned for about 12 hours. Your skin feels like sandpaper for 10 days afterward. And then? YOU GLOW. A lot of med spas have stopped offering this because it’s a “cheaper” laser ($350!!!) and they can sell you something much more expensive. But I can tell the difference in my skin, and it’s worth it to me.
Speaking of lasers. I did the Scarlet Microneedling RF and I hated it. This YouTube video is a lie. I screamed in pain, even after an hour of numbing. And it cost $1200! Did it work? I don’t know, and I don’t care, because it was absolute hell on earth for me. A lot of other people swear by it, and good for them!
The point is: if it comes to needles or lasers, I’m only doing it under the supervision of a dermatologist.
What I use every day:
I’ve pared down my products to what I actually use and like. I avoid impulse purchases unless they’re on sale. And again, a fool and her money are soon parted and I have tried a lot of garbage!
Some of these are affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you buy through this link. That never affects the price you pay, and I would only ever link to products I have actually used and liked.
**you can get 15% off your Tula order with code NORA15 through May 2024**
Cleanser: Tula Skincare The Cult Classic
The only cleanser that Sophie can use (even Cetaphil gives her a rash?) and the only one that makes me feel clean without being dried out. I don’t detect a scent but they do have an unscented one.
The only toner I’ve ever used that doesn’t make me feel like a dried out little raisin. Makes my skin feel smoother and look glowier. Love it.
Daily Moisturizer: Tula Skincare 24/7 Moisture
Feels rich without being greasy, soaks in quickly. Also loved by Sensitive Sophie (17) and again, while I don’t smell anything…they make an unscented version, too.
Tula Skincare Protect & Glow Daily SPF 30
Better than SuperGoop IMO! It has a natural glow to it (even without pigment) and if I don’t wear makeup, I still feel like I have a little something on. I have bought this for pretty much everyone I know!
Tula Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm
I use this morning and night. I wasn’t a fan of the Rose one, which was oddly shimmery and make me look like a reverse raccoon?
I use Tula’s subscriptions to save a little on the things I know I’ll use up.
What I use a few times a week:
I might be the last person on earth to try this, and it did not disappoint. My friend
told me to take it slow, and if I’m using Tretinoin a few times a week, I’m using this one twice, max.Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm
gave this to me and I didn’t read it correctly and somehow skipped over the “cleansing” part and didn’t rinse it off and thought, wow, it’s really moisturizing! It’s great as a double-cleanser on days when I’m wearing a lot of makeup, and as travel cleanser when my face feels dry from planes and hotels.Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream
Another gift from Caroline (that I also ended up buying). Super rich (but scented!). I loved this after Clear & Brilliant especially.
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Eye Gels
Wow, I wish that name were longer! On puffy mornings (or after long flights) I put these on until they dry out. They do not look like this photo, they’re way more slippery!
The Currentbody Red Light LED Mask Set
A birthday gift from Caroline (can you believe it!). These help with pigmentation, fine lines, “elasticity and firmness” and honestly, I do notice a different when I use it. About 3 times a week, I put this one and freak out the whole family.
You know the Therabody thing that pummels your body into relaxation? This does that for your face! It also has the micro current stimulation of the NuFace, and attachments for red and blue LED light, AND a cleansing attachment. I use the percussion and cleanser more than anything, because I AM A JAW CLENCHER.
What I Use As Needed:
The Avene Cicalfate Restorative & Protective Cream was perfect for post-laser skin barrier repair. If “slugging” is too much for you, this is a great alternative. I’ve heard from people with eczema that they love it for…whatever eczema is!
Algenist Liquid Collagen Serum is another Caroline Moss product that I’ll use under moisturizer in the winter, after I get a little sun (rare!) or if I’m feeling extra dry.
If you read this far, good job! You get a little gold star!
xo
Nora
PS - anything else you want me to write about? Let me know!
Thanks Nora! After my son (pictured and honest to a fault) said what are the those parentheses on your face (he was 8), I’ve done some investments. I’ve recently found wearing a tad bit of makeup to my unsatisfying job, makes me walk a little taller!